Rubber Chemical Resistance Performance Guide
Rubber Chemical Resistance Performance Guide
Selecting the correct elastomer begins with understanding how each compound behaves in the fluids it will contact—fuels, solvents, acids, bases, and cleaning chemicals. This guide summarises compatibility trends and points you to detailed material pages and testing protocols.
## Compatibility Overview
| Media Category | Recommended Elastomers | Notes |
| — | — | — |
| Petroleum fuels, lubricants | NBR / HNBR, FKM | High-ACN NBR for aromatics; HNBR for high temp; FKM for blended fuels |
| Aromatic / chlorinated solvents | FKM, FFKM | Avoid NBR/EPDM; some Viton grades require specialty formulations |
| Organic acids, oxidisers | EPDM, FKM, FFKM | EPDM for dilute acids; FFKM for concentrated nitric/sulfuric |
| Amines, steam | EPDM, Kalrez 6380, Chemraz 541 | Standard FKM may harden; select amine-resistant grades |
| Glycols / brake fluid | EPDM, silicone | NBR swells excessively; verify temperature rating |
| Food / pharmaceuticals | Silicone, EPDM (peroxide-cured), FFKM | Ensure FDA/USP Class VI compliance |
## Building a Chemical Profile
1. **List all contact media** – include cleaning agents, inhibitors, additives, and contaminants (H₂S, chlorides).
2. **Measure concentration & exposure time** – compatibility often depends on concentration and dwell time (continuous vs. intermittent).
3. **Capture temperature & pressure** – chemical attack accelerates with temperature; pressure can drive media into seal body.
4. **Check synergistic effects** – mixtures (fuel + ethanol + water) may attack differently than pure components.
5. **Plan for cleaning cycles** – CIP/SIP, solvent flushes, or high-pressure washes may require alternate compounds.
## Testing Strategy
– **ASTM D471 / ISO 1817** immersion testing in representative fluids at operating temperature; monitor volume, hardness, mass, and tensile change.
– **High-temperature aging (ASTM D573)** to simulate accelerated chemical attack combined with heat.
– **Compression set evaluation (ASTM D395)** post-immersion to ensure sealing force retention.
– **Dynamic testing** for moving seals, especially when media contains abrasive particles.
– **Customized soak tests** for proprietary fluids (e.g., semiconductor chemistries, specialty polymers).
## Quick Reference Matrix
| Media | NBR | HNBR | EPDM | FKM | FFKM | Silicone | PTFE |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gasoline / diesel | ✔️ | ✔️ | ⚠️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ⚠️ | ✔️ |
| Aromatic solvents | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Steam | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✔️ | ⚠️ | ✔️ | ⚠️ | ✔️ |
| Brake fluid (glycol) | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Acids (dilute) | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ⚠️ | ✔️ |
| Strong acids (conc.) | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Amines | ⚠️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ⚠️ (grade dependent) | ✔️ | ⚠️ | ✔️ |
| Food oils & fats | ⚠️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Legend: ✔️ good / ⚠️ conditional (check grade & temperature) / ❌ not recommended.
## Support Tools
– [Chemical Compatibility Matrix (detailed)](/materials/sealing-material-selection-chemical-compatibility/)
– [Design Services](/services/design-services/) – request tailored compound comparison.
– [Standards Center](/standards/) – cross-reference materials with hardware standards and dash tolerances.
Need a lab-backed compatibility report? Upload media lists, concentration, temperature, and exposure schedule via the [custom quote form](/quote/custom/) to receive certified test plans and recommended compounds.
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